Plea as raiders strike twice in an hour at Whitefield store

Police have released CCTV images of three people they want to speak to over two audacious raids on stores on the same road within an hour. The thieves loaded up on champagne, meat and wine, from the Co-op convenience store on Parr Lane, Whitefield, before walking out.

Police have released CCTV images of three people they want to speak to over two audacious raids on stores on the same road within an hour.

The thieves loaded up on champagne, meat and wine, from the Co-op convenience store on Parr Lane, Whitefield, before walking out.

A man left the store still carrying a shopping basket while two women used shopping bags.

About an hour later, the raiders walked into another Co-op on the same street and selected the same items before leaving.

Pc Richard Garland, from the Whitefield neighbourhood policing team, said: "The offenders had the cheek to target two neighbouring Co-ops in a matter of an hour with the man having the audacity to walk out with the shop’s baskets.

"The images are clear and I am positive someone in the community will recognise them. If you do, or if you are a shop owner and have fallen victim to the same people, I would urge you to contact the police."

Mark Kenny, neighbourhood inspector for Prestwich and Whitefield, said local police treated shoplifting as a priority.

He said: "It is not a victimless crime, it’s something we take seriously and we will investigate all instances.

"We give crime prevention advice and have a look at stores to see how they can reduce their risk."

The man is described as white, in his 40s or 50s, 6ft tall with short brown hair.

One of the women is white, in her 50s or 60s, of large build with blonde hair and glasses.

The other woman is mixed race, slim with long brown hair.

Anyone with information on the incidents, on the evening of Sunday, April 15, can phone police on 0161 856 8244.